Effects of atorvastatin 10 mg and simvastatin 20 mg on serum triglyceride levels in patients with hypercholesterolemia

Abstract Background: Some reports suggest that atorvastatin is more effective than other statins in decreasing serum triglyceride (TG) levels in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the hypotriglyceridemic activity of atorvastatin and simvastatin at doses that elicit similar hypocholesterolemic effects. Methods: Outpatients with primary hypercholesterolemia that was not adequately controlled with a stable low-fat, low-cholesterol diet were randomized to 1 of 2 treatments: atorvastatin 10 mg daily (n = 100) or simvastatin 20 mg daily (n = 100) for up to 6 months. Serum TG, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were measured at baseline and after 2 and 6 months of therapy. Results: After 2 months of therapy, serum TG, TC, and LDL-C levels significantly decreased ( P P Conclusions: In patients with hypercholesterolemia, atorvastatin 10 mg/d and simvastatin 20 mg/d had similar effects on serum TG, TC, and LDL-C levels. Both drugs increased HDL-C levels, but the effect of simvastatin was significantly greater than that of atorvastatin.